Newark, NJ: South Mountain Reservation

Hike to hidden falls, summit views and a Revolutionary War-era landmark on this 6-mile loop in South Mountain Reservation.

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South Mountain Reservation is one of the last bastions of preserved space in a highly developed section of Northeastern New Jersey. The 2,000-acre tract encompasses a network of trails along braided streams and quiet forests. Despite its tranquil surroundings, visitors can access the park via mass transit, since the Millburn train station is across the street.

This 6-mile loop begins on the Rahway Trail, which follows the river of the same name north along a series of ponds and dams. Bug spray is recommended during summer months. As the route veers east, you'll traverse a beautiful woodland setting. Merge onto the Lenape Trail and follow it to Hemlock Falls. Whitewater pours down the jet-black rock face of an intimate gorge. This is one of the few public spots in the Essex County where a person can grab a sense of solitude and untouched, natural beauty. Climb up the Falls Overlook Trail to explore the headwaters and the upper gorge. Opportunities for sunbathing and wading are excellent here. From the falls, the route gains a few hundred feet through more woods to a grassy, boulder-strewn summit area. Views of the western hills are unveiled once hikers leave tree cover. Follow the Lenape Trail east to Washington Rock, a lookout for the Essex County and Newark Militia during the Revolutionary War. At more than 500 feet, this highpoint affords an impressive panorama to the south. This spot is a great place for watching foliage in autumn. Descend from the monument, walking past a picnic area before closing the loop at the parking lot. -mapped by MacKenzie Ryan

From NYC: Take the Lincoln Tunnel to NY-495 West. Merge onto I-95 South. Take the exit onto I-78 West. At 4.7 miles, take the Garden State Parkway exit. Merge onto I-78 West. At 3.4 miles, take exit 50B toward Maplewood/Millburn. Turn right at Vauxhall Road. Make a slight left at Millburn Avenue. Turn right at Essex Avenue. Turn right at Lackawanna Place. Turn right at Glen Avenue. Trailhead is on the right side of the road.

Trail Facts

Distance: 10.1

Waypoints

HEM001

Location: 40.727509, -74.304329

Rahway Trailhead: Find trail maps in the tiny box posted behind the wooden trailhead sign. Follow white blazes and begin hiking the hard-packed, rooty path through a deciduous forest. Cross a narrow footbridge, the first of many in this low-lying area.

HEM002

Location: 40.729301, -74.306493

Go straight at Y-junction and a begin a slight descent toward the Rahway River. The trail traverses a ridgeline just above the water.

HEM003

Location: 40.730452, -74.306814

Turn left at Y-junction and take the spur trail to access the dam, its falls, and an intimate creek area. When finished exploring, retrace steps back to Rahway Trail.

HEM004

Location: 40.7313, -74.306293

Turn left at Y-junction and take the second spur trail to explore Diamond Mill Pond. When finished, retrace steps back to main path.

HEM005

Location: 40.732946, -74.306499

Veer left at T-junction. For a short distance, walk north on the access road. Keep an eye out for white blazed trees on the right.

HEM006

Location: 40.733286, -74.306483

Bear right at Y-junction and merge with Rahway Trail. From here, the trail climbs up a rocky, rooty hill.

Walk straight at 4-way junction with the same access road. Cross over the footbridge. The grade picks up shortly after the bridge, but only for a bit. Keep the river to the left.

HEM009

Location: 40.735947, -74.304746

Turn left to access a short spur trail that takes hikers down to the water and showcases an old cobblestone dam and a large, abandoned pumphouse. When finished, retrace steps back to Rahway Trail.

HEM010

Location: 40.736578, -74.303816

Go straight at 4-way intersection.

HEM011

Location: 40.73765, -74.302993

Bear left at Y-junction with fire road and Rahway Trail. The faint trail dips through a sparse set of woods. Do not pass the three storm drain covers--this indicates hikers have gone too far on the fire road and missed the trail.

HEM012

Location: 40.739151, -74.302211

Continue straight, heading north and ignoring the various spur trails. Here the Rahway Trail will follow the river very closely.

HEM013

Location: 40.739625, -74.301768

Bear left at Y-junction.

HEM014

Location: 40.741139, -74.301879

Pass a skinny bridge on the left, but do not cross it. Walk north through a riparian area.

HEM015

Location: 40.741979, -74.301186

Bear right at Y-junction. Depending on the season, hikers may need to rock-hop across a tiny stream.

HEM016

Location: 40.744053, -74.30012

Go straight at 4-way. To the left, there are short cascades flowing over a dam and another brick pumphouse across the creek.

HEM017

Location: 40.745645, -74.297764

Veer left at Y-junction. To the right is a faint use-trail. The Rahway Trail follows the water.

HEM018

Location: 40.746837, -74.296193

Turn left and cross bridge. Continue on the left side of the river.

HEM019

Location: 40.747307, -74.297431

Turn right onto the narrowing trail and follow the white blazes.

HEM020

Location: 40.752657, -74.292845

Rock-hop from the left side to the right side of the river.

HEM021

Location: 40.752452, -74.292694

Turn left at T-junction.

HEM022

Location: 40.75236, -74.292354

Go right at Y-junction.

HEM023

Location: 40.751323, -74.291652

Head straight through the 4-way junction. The Rahway Trail ends here. Merge onto the Lenape Trail, marked by yellow blazes on the trees ahead.

HEM024

Location: 40.751351, -74.289185

Reach a small, teaser-set of falls on the left of the Lenape Trail. Continue to reach Hemlock Falls.

HEM025

Location: 40.750541, -74.288918

Reach Hemlock Falls. Bear left and climb the stairs up the Falls Overlook Trail, marked by red dots.

HEM026

Location: 40.750568, -74.287922

The Falls Overlook Trail ends here; however, continuing on the spur trail to the right affords great close-up views of the gorge below. A small cascade sits at the end of the spur trail. Sunbathing and wading opportunities abound along the way. When finished, retrace steps back to the Falls Overlook Trail.

HEM027

Location: 40.750571, -74.288849

Merge onto the Lenape Trail at the base of Hemlock Falls and cross over the short stone bridge. Immediately after crossing, make a sharp right. A short, rocky climb follows. After the climb, bear left.

HEM028

Location: 40.750202, -74.291112

Make a sharp left and follow the yellow blazes.

HEM029

Location: 40.746918, -74.29007

Head straight at 4-way with the Balls Bluff Trail.

HEM030

Location: 40.741126, -74.293804

Veer right at yellow blaze on a dead tree cut in half. The Bear Lane runs parallel to the Lenape Trail here.

HEM031

Location: 40.74093, -74.29526

Cross over the Bear Lane, heading straight through the 4-way.

HEM032

Location: 40.736629, -74.300614

Go straight at the 4-way with Pingry Trail.

HEM033

Location: 40.730933, -74.303594

Go straight at 4-way with Sunset Trail.

HEM034

Location: 40.729238, -74.302095

Turn left at Y-junction. The town of Millburn is to the right, just past the fence.

HEM035

Location: 40.728669, -74.300937

Reach a nice overlook with a patio that offers views of Essex and Union counties. When finished, continue up the paved path.

HEM036

Location: 40.72889, -74.30031

Reach Washington Rock Historic Site. After perusing the area, walk up the road.

HEM037

Location: 40.729572, -74.298801

Turn right off paved road and onto a thin path that traverses more woods.

HEM038

Location: 40.729763, -74.297928

Bear right and begin descent back to parking lot.

HEM039

Location: 40.727189, -74.302301

Walk through the picnic area. A pavilion, tables, and grills are free to use.